Extendable and retractable sprinkler



Oct. 3, 1961 F. T. JENKINS EXTENDABLE AND RETRACTABLE SPRINKLER Filed Oct. 5, 1960 3,002,696 Y p p EXTENDABLE AND RETRACTABLE SPRINKLER Frederick T. Jenkins, 836 W. Etruria St., Seattle, Wash. Filed Oct. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 59,944 2 Claims. (Cl. 239-205) This invention relates to improvements in underground sprinkler systems as designed for lawn and garden watering purposes and has reference more particularly to what are usually designated as extendable `and retractable sprinkler heade, especially designed for systems employing underground pipe lines.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved form of sprinkler head mounting that moves automatically from a retracted, below ground surface position to an extended, above surface position of use under the inuence of water supplied thereto from the pipe system, under pressure and which head mounting is caused to retract, with the discontinuance of the supplying of water under pressure thereto, to lawn surface level.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel sprinkler head mounting wherein the retracting connection between the non-movable water supply line or piping and the movable spray head mounting includes a stretchable and retractable strip of rubber or the like, in lieu of the usual types of metal springs that are generally employed with sprinkler heads of this character.

It is also an object of this invention to adapt the present invention to sprinkler systems as designed for use in gardens or other places Where the extension and retraction of the head may be several feet, as well as to employ it in lawns where the extension may be only a few inches.

Still further objects and `advantages of the present invention reside in the details of construction and combination of the various parts employed in the device and in their mode of assembly and use, as will hereinafter be described.

in accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the present invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is Ia side view of an extendable and retractable sprinkler head mounting embodied in the present invention and as designe-d for use in a lawn sprinkler system; the sprinkler head being herein shown in an extended position.

FIG, 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sprinkler head mounting of FIG. l with the head shown as retracted to lawn level.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in longitudinal section, of `a sprinkler head mounting as designed more particularly for high plant watering.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the sprinkler head retracting strip and its end attachments.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In FIG. l, I have shown a sprinkler head mounting of the present invention as connected, at its lower end, to a water supply pipe line through the mediacy of a Tt ting 11 that provides a flow of water, under pressure from pipe 10 may be continuously supplied thereto. The sprinkler head mounting as here shown, comprises a vertically disposed cylindrically tubular housing 13 which, at its lower end terminates in an interiorly threaded neck portion 13', of substantially lesser diameter than the housing, that receives the vertical, exteriorly threaded neck portion 11 of the T iitting 11 therein to mount the housing for receiving water from the pipe line.

At its upper end the cylindrical housing 13 is Open to te States atent ice 2 elongated cylindrical chamber 16 therein that reciprocally contains a hollow cylindrical piston member 17; this being open substantially to its full diameter at its lower end and about that end it is formed with an encircling ange 18 that reciprocally lits within the walls of chamber 16 in a close joint. l

At its upper end the hollow piston member 17 is closed by an end wali 19 on which an exteriorly threaded neck 20 is formed and on which neck a spray head 21 is threaded; the neck being formed, coaxially thereof with a bore 22 that provides an outlet through 'which Water from the hollow piston is supplied to the spray head 21.

On its upper end edge the cylindrical housing 13 mounts a joint sealing gasket 24 which is held in place by and within a anged ring 25 that is threaded onto the threaded upper end portion 15 of the housing. The gasket and the flange of the retaining ring are lesser in inside diameter than the cylindrical chamber 16 and operate to limit the upward reciprocal movement of the hollow piston by reason of engagement of the piston ange 18 with the gasket.

Pressure of water received in the hollow piston from pipe line l0 causes extension of the piston from position of FIG. 2 to position of FIG. 1.

The retractive movement of the hollow piston when water pressure is discontinued on the pipe line is accomplished by contraction of a rubber strip, or the like, 28 which is attached to the base wall of the housing 13 and, at its upper end, is attached, under tension, to a cross-pin 29 that is ixedly applied within and diametrically across the upper end portion of the discharge passage 22 of the piston. This rubber strip is secured under such tension as to effectively pull the piston to a fully retracted position as in FIG. 2, when the supply of water under pressure is discontinued. However, when water is supplied under usual line pressure, it quickly extends the piston to its upper limit of travel above the lawn level.

In its present preferred construction, the rubber strip 28 as formed at its upper end with a loop as at 23', designed to receive the securing pin 29 therethrough and the ends of the pin are adapted to seat in notches in the upper end of neck 20 as shown. Likewise, at its lower end the rubber strip has a loop 23x that receives the horizontal end portion of la wire coil spring 30 that is threaded into the upper end portion of the inlet passage of the housing 13,

The device which I have illustrated, in FIG. 4, is substantially like that of FIG. l except in the length of cerlnain parts. In this view primed reference numerals have been applied to parts corresponding to similar parts seen in FIG. 2. The tubular housing 13' is of such length as to permit approximately a two foot extension of the piston piece 17 from the housing 13 and the rubber strip is increased in length accordingly or as required. Parts are not to be conned to any speciiic dimensions so long as not inconsistent with the operation `as previously explained.

The stretchable and retractable strip material may be of any suitable material, presently I prefer to use pure, natural gumrubber which is not aifected by water. Units as seen in FIG. 2 are best suited for lawns, While the unit of FIG. 4 is best for watering of tall plants.

Sprinkler heads of this kind may be made in various sizes, and lengths and of various materials.

What I claim as new is:

l. A sprinkler unit comprising a vertically disposed cylindrical housing, open -to its full diameter at its upper end and closed at its lower end and provided. at that end with a tubular, axial inlet for reception of water under pressure, a hollow cylindrical piston reciprocally fitted within said housing with slight clearance for extension and retraction; said piston being open to its full diameter at v 3 its lower end and provided about that end With an annular sealing ange slidably engaging the side Walls of the housing chamber fand having a closing Wall at its upper end with an upwardly directed tubular neck portion providing a discharge passage, a sprinkler head threaded onto said neck, an annular flange member threaded onto the open upper end of the cylindrical housing,- about the upper end of said piston to serve as a guide for said piston in its travel and as a stop for the sealing ange as formed about the lower open end of the piston to limit the extending travel of the piston, a tubular anchoring coil threaded into the inlet of said housing, equipped with a diametrically directed end portion extending partially across said tubular anchor coil, a cross-pin removably seated in the discharge end of said tubular neck portion and a resilient 15 strip of rubber secured under tension at its opposite ends to said diametrically directed end portion of the anchor- 4 ing coil and to said cross-pin to retract the piston when water pressure thereagainst is discontinued.

2. The combination according to claim l wherein said resilient strip of rubber has loops at its end for reception 5 of the cross pin and to Vthe diametrically directed end portion of the anchoring coil.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,768,919 Moore July 1, 1930 1,800,858 Buelna Apr. 14, 1931V y2,595,598 Morton May 6, 1952 2,607,623 Lippert Aug. 19, 1952 2,607,624 Lippert Aug. 19, 1952 2,706,134 Wilson et al Apr. 12, 1955 

